Dawson Reed Bud’ Kilpatrick

Durango resident Dawson Reed Kilpatrick died Sunday, March 3, 2013, after a short stay at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 94.

Known as “Bud,” he was born to George and Bessie Kilpatrick on Oct. 6, 1918, on the family farm in Lincoln County, Tenn. He spent his childhood working with his family on farms in Abilene, Texas, and Chandler, Ariz. In his late teens, he moved to Tucson, Ariz., to work with his older brother on golf courses as well as grounds maintenance for the heiress to the Grace Steamship Lines.

In 1939, he met and married Deanne Lively, in Tucson.

Prior to entering the Army during World War II, Mr. Kilpatrick worked for Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft finishing and modifying B-24 bombers. During the war, Mr. Kilpatrick was a supply sergeant with the Army Air Corps at a base in Topeka, Kan.

After his discharge from the Army in 1946, he and his young family settled in Independence, Calif., where he worked at and later owned a Chevron gas station.

The eastern High Sierra community provided ample opportunities for him to enjoy his hobbies of trout fishing, bird hunting and searching for arrowheads.

Upon retiring in 1978, Mr. Kilpatrick and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States before settling in Durango during the summer and Yuma, Ariz., for the winter.

After several years in Durango, the couple decided to return to Arizona to enjoy the warmer climate. They lived in Dewey, south of Prescott, for 25 years. After Mr. Kilpatrick suffered injuries in a car accident, they moved back to Durango to live with their son and daughter-in-law, James “Mick” Kilpatrick and Ruth Katzin.

Mr. Kilpatrick was preceded in death by his son Timothy Kilpatrick in 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Deanne Kilpatrick, of Durango; son James “Mick” Kilpatrick of Durango; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; nine great-stepgrandchildren; and one great-great-stepgrandchild.